Austerity a False Solution to Economic Crisis
(OTTAWA)
Right wing governments calling for increased austerity are proposing a false solution to the economic crisis - a false solution that will unjustly tighten the belts of workers, the middle class, the unemployed and many others who didn't cause the crisis, CAW Economist Jim Stanford says.
In a presentation to CAW Council on the ongoing world-wide economic crisis, austerity, and the fight-back by working people, Stanford stressed it's important to understand the crisis was caused by a speculative bubble in U.S. housing in 2008 and other games played by the wealthy in "global financial casinos," stock markets and other financial institutions.
He said deficits around the globe didn't cause the crisis, but instead the economic crisis caused these government deficits. Stanford said plans to slash public programs, public sector jobs and further cut corporate taxes will not solve deficits. Instead, austerity will only make it worse.
"The books are not balanced because of underlying problems that governments have not attempted to solve," Stanford said. In fact, many right wing governments around the globe and in Canada are using the false solution of deficit reduction to achieve cutbacks they and their corporate backers wanted to achieve anyway - a version of the "Shock Doctrine" attack used by right wing governments and corporations on working people, which was outlined by Canadian author Naomi Klein.
Stanford said it's important to remember Canada's taxes are low and falling and that fair taxes are the best way to pay for public services that enhance the quality of life. Ensuring that our economy is producing good quality jobs means that workers will be able to pay taxes that will reduce the deficit and produce a stronger overall economy, he said.
On average, public programs (or the social wage)
add 37 per cent to the standard of living of Canadians. He said three quarters of all Canadians pay less tax than they receive back.
"We can pay off the deficit simply by putting Canadians back to work.then we can pay for our public services," Stanford said.
Around the globe, Stanford said in nations where unions are strong public programs are larger, stronger and most effective. At the same time taxes are higher, but the public service benefits are huge.
Austerity is a false solution to a crisis created by private sector capitalism, Stanford said. He urged labour, the middle class and the rest of the 99 per cent to resist the right wing's call for tax cuts.
Delegate after delegate spoke out against government plans for increase austerity and public sector cutbacks. They approved a resolution calling on CAW locals to fight austerity, public service cutbacks, attacks on public sector workers, unions and pensions.
"Austerity is not the answer to our economic and fiscal problems," the resolution states. "It will only make them worse. Paying fair taxes to support quality public services is part of living in a decent society."
New Federal Skilled Trades Immigration Program Receives Widespread Praise
(OTTAWA)
Michael Atkinson, president of the Canadian Construction Association:
“The Canadian Construction Association is especially pleased to hear today’s announcement that the new federal Skilled Trades Program to be launched on January 2nd, 2013. The introduction of a dedicated and streamlined program for skilled trades addresses many of the shortcomings in the current federal Skilled Worker Program. The new program ensures greater consideration is given to the needs of the industry when processing eligible immigrant applications.
The current federal Skilled Worker Program has not been trades friendly … and our industry faces some labour market challenges going forward. There is an international economic survey that forecasts that Canada will have the fifth largest construction market in the world by 2020, next only to the US, China, India and Japan. The Construction Sector Council says that we’re going to need some 320,000 new workers by 2020 just to replace those that will be retiring in the intervening period and to keep pace with the high demand our industry currently is seeing … Of the 320,000 new workers that we’ll need by 2020, the Construction Council says about half of those are going to have to come from foreign trained workers. Yes, we would like to be able to meet all of our labour demands with our domestic workforce, but it’s just not going to be possible and immigration is going to be one of the tools, one of the ways that we can meet that.
We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Kenney and the Government of Canada in building a fast, flexible and efficient immigration system that supports the Canadian economy and creates Canada’s competitive workforce of the future.”
Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce:
“Canada will be better positioned to fill the demand for skilled tradespersons thanks to the introduction of a new immigration stream. This is welcome news for employers, particularly in Western Canada, who are struggling to fill positions with enough Canadian-born trades professionals. During our consultations this year, we heard that most employers would prefer permanent residents for their immigrant skilled tradespersons.
“We applaud Minister Kenney and the government for making changes to our immigration policy and programs that support economic growth by focusing on our skilled labour needs. The new stream for skilled trades will have specific criteria, providing a dedicated path for skilled tradespersons with the rights skills and experience to apply for permanent residency in Canada.”
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
:
“With the growing demand for skilled workers across Canada, CFIB has pushed to make the federal immigration system work for small business owners. Starting January 2nd, 2013, Minister Kenney announced that a new Federal Skilled Trade Stream will begin accepting applications. The new system will better address the need for in-demand skilled workers. CFIB is pleased that the federal government is reforming the system to ensure there is a faster and more flexible way to access workers.”
Government of Canada Invests to Help Recent Graduates get Jobs
(EXETER)
The Government of Canada announced new funding to help a recent post-secondary graduate in Exeter gain valuable skills and experience needed to enter and succeed in the job market. The announcement was made by Mr. Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron–Bruce, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said
Mr. Lobb. “The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy is helping youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs now and prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.”
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is receiving over $19,000 from the Career Focus program to help a recent graduate gain on-the-job experience and apply the skills acquired through education to ease the transition to work. Career Focus is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES)
.
The participant will gain meaningful career experience through tasks such as web programming and redesigning a database to better gather information on visitors. The participant will also receive training and mentorship from executive staff.
“The Government of Canada’s Career Focus program is helping us provide practical job skills to a young post-graduate student,” said Dave Frayne, Chairman, Board of Directors, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. “This funding helps support our local conservation agency in the work we do.”
With annual funding of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer.
Economic Action Plan 2012 is providing an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES through a new initiative that will connect young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand and help them develop tangible skills and gain work experience.
Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
The Government of Canada is helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available at youth.gc.ca.
Conservatives Take Away Benefits From Seasonal Migrant Workers
(OTTAWA)
On December 6, 2012, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley, under the logo of the government’s questionable Economic Action Plan announced yet another attack on migrant workers.
Just 15 days before Christmas, Minster Finley issued a press release stating migrant workers who have paid into maternity, paternity or compassionate care benefits will no longer be able access them once their work visa in Canada has expired.
This regulatory change has not undergone any parliamentary debate. According to the Minister, the regulatory changes were made “to ensure the EI program remains fair and consistent."
The Minister did not mention that Canadians and permanent resident workers who pay into the EI system are able to access maternity/paternity benefits when they reside out of the country.
Neither did the Minister make mention of the millions migrant workers pay into the EI system via wage deductions but are now essentially barred from accessing these benefits. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
has noted migrant workers alone contribute $25 million into the EI fund annually.
In a CBC National news report on migrant workers that aired on December 10, 2012, Minister Finley sent in this comment: “We take our responsibility to maintain the integrity of the TFWP program very seriously, which is why we have strengthened compliance measures and introduced increased protections for foreign workers in Canada.”
Taking away access to benefits that migrant workers have paid into, is not fair or consistent. Nor do these changes come close to ‘increased protections’ for migrant workers.
Job Creation Strategies Must Tackle Youth Unemployment, says CAW President
(OTTAWA)
CAW President Ken Lewenza is calling the drop in youth unemployment a positive sign, but urged government to prioritize tackling chronic joblessness among young workers.
Lewenza was responding to the November Labour Force Survey results released this morning by Statistics Canada that showed a drop in youth unemployment from 14.7 per cent to 14 per cent.
Lewenza said that although the drop in youth unemployment is encouraging, the rate still stands stubbornly high at nearly double the national average of 7.2 per cent.
"The last three years have demonstrated that without action, this problem of youth unemployment will not improve," said Lewenza.
"Young workers are being left behind in our economy and this will have serious ramifications for years to come," said Lewenza. "Governments at all levels must develop strategies alongside industry and unions to take on chronically high levels of youth unemployment. Young workers are among the best educated at any time in our national history - but job prospects are insufferably poor."
"We need a national good jobs strategy for young workers," Lewenza said.
Delegates from across Canada are meeting today and tomorrow for CAW Council, at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom on the Lower Level.
Cutting Red Tape for Skilled Immigrants
(OTTAWA)
The new Bridging Open Work Permit enables certain economic class applicants to maintain their status and continue working in Canada while they wait for a final decision on their permanent residence application, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney announced.
"“We are making our immigration system faster and more flexible, and cutting red tape for the skilled immigrants Canada’s economy needs to grow and thrive,”" said Minister Jason Kenney. "“The new open work permit provides those who are transitioning to permanent residency with better opportunities to integrate into Canada’s labour market to the benefit of our economy and all Canadians.”"
The bridging work permit is available immediately and is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Qualifying foreign nationals who have submitted an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
, Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
may be considered for an open work permit. They must already be in Canada on a valid work permit that is about to expire and must have received confirmation from CIC that their permanent resident application is eligible.
Previously, applicants who were awaiting a decision on their permanent residence application could find their temporary work permits expiring before their application was processed. As a result, these individuals would no longer have been authorized to work in Canada unless their employer applied for and received a Labour Market Opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
and the applicant then applied for an extension of status.
Open work permits are already available for other in-Canada immigration streams, such as live-in caregivers, spouses or common-law partners. This improvement will result in consistent treatment for other applicants already in Canada.
"“We are preventing unnecessary disruption in the lives of the newcomers who are already contributing and successfully integrating into the Canadian economy,”" said Minister Kenney. "“Improvements to our immigration system like this will help Canada attract the best and brightest from around the world – the skilled immigrants we need to fill our skilled labour shortages.”"
For further information regarding eligibility, please see: Bridging Open Work Permits for Certain Federal Economic Class Applicants.
Government of Canada Highlights Prohibition of Mandatory Retirement
(OTTAWA)
A year ago, Parliament passed the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act which provides additional protection to older workers who wish to remain in the workforce. On December 15, 2012, the prohibition of mandatory retirement for federally regulated employees comes into force.
“Many Canadian seniors are living a healthy and active lifestyle and wish to remain active in the labour force,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister. “Our government took action and removed potential barriers faced by older workers who enrich the workplace with their accumulated knowledge and experience.”
Specifically, the Act amended the Canada Labour Code to ensure employees receive severance pay upon involuntary termination regardless of age and pension eligibility.
“Canadian workers don’t come with ‘best before’ dates stamped on their foreheads,” said Mr. David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. “These amendments protect the important principle that age discrimination is prohibited under the Canadian Human Rights Act and that retirement is a personal decision,” he said.
The Canadian Human Rights Act was amended to remove provisions that allow mandatory retirement. The elimination of blanket defences for mandatory retirement in the federal jurisdiction is a step forward and is consistent with provincial and territorial human rights legislation. Additional information can be found on the Labour Program’s website at www.labour.gc.ca.
CLC Disappointed on CPP Failure
(OTTAWA)
The President of the Canadian Labour Congress says he is deeply disappointed that the country’s Finance Ministers have once again failed to move forward on improving the Canadian Pension Plan, but he says most provinces want CPP reform and he vows to continue working with them.
“I blame Ottawa for this,” says CLC President Ken Georgetti. “Most provinces want to use the CPP to improve retirement pensions for Canadians but the federal government keeps stalling. This government is letting down millions of Canadians who are not able to save enough for a comfortable retirement.”
Georgetti was responding to a meeting of Finance Ministers near Ottawa on December 16-17. At the conclusion, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said there was no consensus among provinces and there will be no immediate action on the CPP. He added that federal and provincial officials have been asked to do more study about what would constitute a “modest” increase in the CPP and to advise on the best timing for any increase.
“Mr. Flaherty said pretty well the same thing a year ago,” Georgetti says. “Government officials did produce a study for this meeting that provided several workable options for enhancing the CPP. This is the time for action, not obstruction.”
Georgetti says that Canadians are already facing a pensions crisis and that it will get worse. Sixty per cent of workers have no workplace pension, while one-third of Canadians between the ages of 24 and 64 have no personal retirement savings. “We have to do something about pensions and soon. If we don’t act now, taxpayers in the future will have to spend billions of dollars more than they do today to support retirees living in poverty.”
Ottawa also claims that the economy is too fragile to allow for any increased CPP contributions from workers and employers. Georgetti says, “The research provided by government officials for this meeting shows that the economic effect of increased contributions would be minimal, and also that Canada would still have a lower rate of payroll contributions that the U.S. and other OECD countries.”
Georgetti vows that the CLC will continue to advocate for on behalf of all Canadians. “We believe that there is already enough support among the provinces to move forward on the CPP and we are going to be pushing hard for this to happen at the next Finance Ministers’ meeting in June.”
NEW YEAR, NEW JOB? Survey Identifies Greatest Challenges When Starting a New Job
(TORONTO)
Workers who ring in the new year with a new job may find learning the ropes to be their biggest challenge, a new Accountemps survey suggests. Nearly half (49 per cent)
of employees and 39 per cent of managers interviewed said mastering new processes and procedures tops their list of concerns when joining a company. Twenty-three per cent from each group cited getting to know a new boss and colleagues as the greatest hurdle.
The joint surveys of workers and senior managers were developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialised staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, and conducted by independent research firms. The surveys include responses from 285 working adults 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment and 342 senior managers at Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.
Workers and managers were asked, "Which of the following is the greatest challenge when starting a new job?" Their responses:
Workers Managers
Learning new processes and procedures 49% 39%
Getting to know a new boss and coworkers 23% 23%
Fitting into the corporate culture 15% 21%
Learning how to use new technology and tools 7% 14%
Other/don't know/no answer 6% 5%
---- ----
Total 100% 102%*
*Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.
"As professionals gear up to begin a new job, oftentimes they feel both excited and nervous," said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. "Newcomers can get off to a great start by quickly learning the organisational processes and 'unwritten rules' of communication in the office."
Added Bolt, "Many organisations offer training and orientation programs for employees to get up to speed on formal procedures. However, some cultural norms within a company aren't as easily apparent -- making it more crucial for new workers to be particularly observant during the interview process, on the first day of the job and beyond."
Accountemps highlights seven tips for employees starting a new job in 2013:
1. Clarify expectations. Create a list of goals and responsibilities
with your supervisor and establish a timeline for achieving them.
Request feedback to ensure you're on the right track.
2. Find a role model. An experienced team member can provide newcomers
with insight related to office protocol and performance expectations.
3. Watch, listen and learn. Each organisation has its own unwritten
rules. Observe how a top performer approaches problems and try to
emulate his or her behaviour.
4. Go out for coffee or lunch. Get to know your colleagues in less
formal settings to build rapport.
5. Travel in different circles. Use orientation and training courses to
network with coworkers in other departments. You'll learn company
jargon, operational practices and values.
6. Ask questions. Not asking enough questions is a top mistake new hires
make when starting a job. When in doubt, seek clarification.
7. Strike a balance. Exude confidence, but don't come across as a know-
it-all. Take in all information before suggesting alternatives to
current practices.
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